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The Rams are now entering a season that almost every fan, analyst, opposing team, GM, coach, pundit, etc. is expecting them to challenge for playoff contention, and possibly even the division crown. But to do this there will have to be some good on field play from certain players.

This season for the Rams is a season built on pressure - like a diamond - there are certain players that find themselves in position to directly affect this year's results the most. These players will be needed for a full 16 games in order for the Rams to have a winning season and make a run for the playoffs. The team has been built for success, and consistent weak links appear to be a thing of the past. Now, here in the present, the team will look to begin trends of success for the future.

The Offensive Line

It's only fitting that the offensive line be the first to grace this list, considering it all starts in the trenches. Rather than going through every single player, it seems better to keep this group as a unit, since working in unison is what most lines pride themselves on.

The offensive line will need to stay healthy. Their performance is not nearly as much of a concern as their availability. A healthy line over the course of 16 games could very well produce two Pro Bowl players. Jake Long and Rodger Saffold at times last year looked as good as anyone. Joe Barksdale has the makings of a guy who can do this for 10 years, while staying extremely efficient, but somehow remains overlooked. He and Saffold together created a dominant right side. The chemistry almost seemed instant, and should only improve this season.

Greg Robinson should consider himself to be very lucky. He gets to play in-between Jake Long and Scott Wells. These are the two most knowledgeable players on the offensive line. They should be able to help him grasp an understanding of the playbook. Robinson's natural talent insinuates that he will be a dominant force once the game slows down. The hope is that Long and Wells will expedite that process.

The biggest question mark on the offensive line is Scott Wells. He is the oldest of the Rams line - he can thank Shaun Hill for taking over as the oldest Ram - and his health has been a major concern.

Staying in the trenches, how could Robert Quinn possibly be left off this list? Quinn's performance last season was beautiful. He finished with 19 sacks but left about 3 more on the field with missed tackles. Just think, 22 sacks in a Rams jersey, now that would be beautiful. Quinn was also a monster in the run game. He was arguably the most unstoppable defensive player in the NFL last season. The Rams will need more of that this year. While it would be naive to expect Quinn to reach 19 sacks for a second consecutive season, there is no reason to think that there will be a drastic decline in his overall performance. Quinn will need to continue to dictate the game on his side of the line, and be that disruptive force that changes game plans.

Prediction- 14.5 scks --- 59 tck --- 5 ff --- 2 fr

Chris Long

Yup, you guessed it; we are still in the trenches. Again, games are won and loss due to the play of the lines. Chris Long began last season slow due to the a nagging hip injury. Once his name was no longer on the injury report - one month into the season - he began to look more like the Chris Long we all know and love. One of the league leaders in sacks and hurries over the last four seasons, Long is still in the prime of his career. He will enter camp healthy, and as long as he remains that way he should continue to be a very productive pass rusher. More-so, now that Gregg Williams is in St. Louis and will bring his blitz happy schemes - as well as Robert Quinn playing on the other side - Long should expect to get about the same amount of attention from opposing offenses as a third round rookie.

Prediction- 11.5 scks --- 51 tck --- 2 ff --- one fr

James Laurinaitis

James Laurinaitis has become the steady leader the Rams Defense lacked prior to his arrival. But he is not kept around solely for his locker room presence. He has also earned his keep through his play. Laurinaitis has been one of the most consistent players overall since entering the NFL. His 634 tck, 12 sacks, 31 pass defelctions, and nine interceptions, are all good enough for a top 6 rankings of all middle linebackers over the last five seasons. That is quite the model of consistency. Speaking of consistency, he has never missed a game in his career, and has played every down for the Rams since entering the league with the exception of 13 plays. Barring injury, Laurinaitis will more than likely continue his consistent trend, and lead what seems to be one of the most highly anticipated front sevens in the NFL this season.

Prediction- 134 tck --- 5 sck --- 3 int --- 2 ff

Sam Bradford

Of course Sam Bradford was going to crack the list.

Bradford has everything he needs to succeed - with the exception of a better play caller, but more on that another day - all he needs to do is perform. But in order to perform he needs to be on the field. Bradford's inability to stay healthy has been his biggest issue as a pro. When healthy, he has shown a consistent improvement with his overall game. Consistent enough that prior to his injury last season I went from a simple Bradford supporter to a die hard believer. You could even see him being more vocal than ever on the sideline.

Much like the offensive line, it is not Bradford's performance that is the concern but rather his availability. If Bradford can avoid another fluky injury, than there is little reason to believe he will not pick-up where he left off last season. One thing to remember with a quarterback like Bradford; an ACL injury may not have the same effect on someone like himself, as it would on someone like RGIII.

Straight Ballin

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I dont mind the predictions, except for Quinn. From 19 sacks to 14.5 is a huge drop off. I cant see his production fall that far. At the least I say he stays at a sack per game pace of 16. The middle of our line is even more dangerous this year, which should help flush the QB to the ends. My guess is Quinn racks up 17 and Long grabs 11.

I miss Wang

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I dont mind the predictions, except for Quinn. From 19 sacks to 14.5 is a huge drop off. I cant see his production fall that far. At the least I say he stays at a sack per game pace of 16. The middle of our line is even more dangerous this year, which should help flush the QB to the ends. My guess is Quinn racks up 17 and Long grabs 11.

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Its not that huge at all. NFL players play hundreds of snaps. Assume Quinn plays 700, dropping 4.5 sacks would be like 0.7% of all his plays. A very small number and really not representative of every snap. Quinn could drop off in sacks and but yet still get the same amount of pressure or more in his other hundreds of pass rush snaps or so, just this time in hurries or hits instead of sacks.

This is why people don't understand that JJ Watt was just as dominant in 2013 as 2012, because they look at stats like sacks which represent a small portion of a players game.

Hall of Fame

2015 Survivor Co-Champion

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I may be drinking the koolaid but I think Quinns numbers may go up. There will be more pressure up the middle so the qbs cant step up and hopefully they wont be giving the wrs a 10 yard cushion anymore.

Super Bowl XXXVI was rigged!

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I may be drinking the koolaid but I think Quinns numbers may go up. There will be more pressure up the middle so the qbs cant step up and hopefully they wont be giving the wrs a 10 yard cushion anymore.

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I think you make a valid point here @tahoe . The "experts" are all acting like Quinn will see more attention this year. Do they not think he was being game planned for by mid season last year? It was rather obvious from the Sound FX episode of C. Pagano that they had attempted to game plan for him. There'll be nowhere to hide for QBs this year.

Rookie

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I believe Donald will have the biggest effect on the lines play this year. If they don't double team or chip him, his incredible first step will create holy hell in the middle of opponents backfields. And they still have to account for the outside and Brockers. I think he will make them better and they will make him better. Win, win! And now let's add a blitzer or two. I hope Fisher is still after that sack record. It looks attainable.

UDFA

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I want another star to go along with Quinn and I'm betting Alec Ogletree steps into the light this year. He's the one I think will benefit the most from GW's blitz packages. How about 11 sacks, 137 tckls, 8PD, 4 FF, 3 FR, and 4 Int.. That worthy of the pro bowl??
It's going to fun no matter what.
NOW HIT SOMEBODY!

Hall of Fame

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I may be drinking the koolaid but I think Quinns numbers may go up. There will be more pressure up the middle so the qbs cant step up and hopefully they wont be giving the wrs a 10 yard cushion anymore.

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This plus if the O can score early and help the D force teams to throw, Quinns sacs could go up. I'd like to see him approach 30 sacs, that will mean the Rams are playin with a lead and feastin on QBs.

Hall of Fame

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wow pretty serious Bradford prediction there. I have absolutely no idea how to predict any of the sack totals for Quinn and Long. Just waaay too many variables with the mad scientists running sub packages all day. maybe Donald is so dominant he steals a lot of their sacks, or maybe the qb sidesteps the human bowling ball and right into quinn actually raising his numbers. or maybe the qb will naturally want to take a step away from his blind side this year making Long that much closer to him. or a barrage of LBs and DBs come hurdling in constantly stealing sacks. who knows. either way it's gonna be a blood bath. but lastly 32 sacks allowed... i dont wanna see bradford hit that much im hoping for a more solid protection than that

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